“Godfather Death” is an interesting fairy tale to produce for children. It’s very emotionally mature with an adult character at its center. A poor fisherman seeks out the “most honest man” to be his child’s godfather. He turns down God (God is too fickle), he turns down the Devil (for obvious reasons), but when he meets Death, he realizes Death is the most honest man, for he sticks to his duty no matter how rich or poor his victim. Death gives the father a gift in return for the honor: the ability to “heal” a sick person or “predict” their death. The fisherman becomes a great doctor; he brings a draught to the bedside of a dying person, and if Death is waiting at the foot of the bed, the person will live, but if Death is sitting at the head of the bed, they are doomed to die. The “doctor” becomes very wealthy, but is put in a pickle when the dying king invites him to diagnose him, threatening him with execution if he doesn’t like the answer. Death is waiting at the head of the bed, and the doctor freaks out. He tricks death, turning the king around so Death is now safely at the foot of the man, saving his life. Unfortunately, the doctor learns there are dire consequences to trying to escape one’s fate.
This is a GORGEOUS book, truly a book you want to have on your shelf in a featured spot. Julia Sarda’s artwork is incredible, and that is matched with expressive book design as a whole. The target audience of this fairy tale is a little tough to pin as a librarian – it’s not quite a picture book, not quite a chapter book. Probably best for 2nd-3rd graders who are comfortable reading on their own but want a short book with big ideas. It’s exactly the kind of book my mom would have bought me as a kid, which I’m sure is part of the draw for me. But it’s also gotten some nominations on Best of the Year lists, so I’m not alone in my praise.
